Exercise apparatus



Sept. 21, 1965 E. c. KINSEY EXERCISE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1962 1N VENTOR. fig/$4 0 6%627 Sept. 21, 1965 E. c. KINSEY EXERCISE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1962 Sept. 21, 1965 E. c. KINSEY EXERCISE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 1, 1962 Se t. 21, 1965 E. c; KINS EY EXERCISE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 1, 1962 United States Patent 3,207,512 EXERCISE APPARATUS Edward C. Kinsey, Springfield, M0., assignor to The Athlete Builder Corporation, Springfield, M0. Filed Nov. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 234,655 8 Claims. (Cl. 272-80) The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for gymnasium use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a unitary exercise apparatus which permits a numben-of people to exercise simultaneously, the apparatus being foldable and compact when in the folded condition, one which is sturdy in construction, one which lends itself to storage with ease and facility, one which is simple in structure, and one which may be manufactured at reasonable cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which may be used in any recreational area such as a gymnasium or the like, one which will not damage the floor when used, one which has means for varying the resistance of resilient elements used to build muscles, and one which is foolproof in operation.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus in which there are resilient element-s protected in a housing so that breakage of such an element would not result in injury to a bystander or participant, and one which permits the user thereof to engage in a plurality of exercises several in number.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention, showing it in a position of use,

FIGURE 2 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a view on an enlarged scale with portions broken away taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in nested or folded condition prior to storage, the dotted line indicating a portion of a figure of a person moving the apparatus to a storage space,

FIGURE 7 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 8 is a view taken on the line 88 of FIG- URE 7,

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the resilient cable support,

FIGURE 10 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 10-I0 of FIGURE 7,

FIGURE 11 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the 11-11 of FIGURE 7,

FIGURE 12 is a view on an enlarged scale showing the means for securement of one of the resilient cables,

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 taken at a ninety degree angle with respect to FIGURE 12,

FIGURE 14 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 1414 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 15 is a View taken on the line 15-45 of FIGURE 14,

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary view in section showing one end of the exercise bar used in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 17 is a view taken on the line 1717 of FIG- URE 16,

3,207,512 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 FIGURE 18 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 18-18 of FIGURE 7,

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of one of the exercise components,

FIGURE 20 is a view in elevation and partially in section of the spreader bar employed with the component shown in FIGURE 19,

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of another exercise component,

FIGURE 22 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 2222 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 23 is a view taken on the line 23-23 of FIG- URE 22,

FIGURE 24 is a perspective view of the reinforcing structure of one of the benches,

FIGURE 25 is a fragmentary view in section of another of the exercising components,

FIGURE 26 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 126-26 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 27 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the standard, showing cable connection means, and

FIGURE 28 is a view taken on the line 2828 of FIG- URE 27.

Referring in detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a base 30 from which a standard 32 rises, the standard 32 being centrally of the base 30. To the upper end of the standard 32 is secured one end of the horizontally disposed support 34 fabricated of two closed box structures 36 and 38 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 26. A pulley 40 is rotatably supported on the free end of the support 34.

A plurality of resilient elements depend from the upper end of the standard 32. These elements are in the form of elastic cords 42 having their upper ends extending through holes 44 provided in a circular plate 46, as shown in FIGURE 8. The plates 46 are four in number and each is supported on a bolt 48 depending from a support plate 50 welded to the upper end portion of the standard 32. As shown in FIGURE 8 two of the plates 46 are supported on support plates 50 and the other two on support plates 50.

The lower end portions of the cords 42 extend through holes 52 provided in triangular plates 54 and 56, the latter being of a smaller size and superimposed upon the former.

As shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, three of such cords 42 are employed with each of the plates 54 and 56, and the means for securing the cords 42 to such plates is shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, such means consisting in a ring 58 which is bent and crimped about the cord 42 below the associated plate 54 or 56.

A cable 60 having a pin 62 on one end thereof selectively engages one or more of the plates 54 and 56 for connection to the required number of cords 42. The pin 62 is provided with a transverse hole 64 through which extends a spring pin 66 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 11. A light chain 68 tethers the spring pin 66 to the pin 62.

Another pin 62' is secured to double cables 60' and may be employed in place of a single cable 60, as shown in FIGURE 7.

A positioning plate 70 is supported on the standard 32 by means of a pair of plates 72 and 74 bolted together, as shown in FIGURE 9. The plate 70 is provided with holes 76 through which extend the intermediate portions of all of the cords 42 associated with one of the four groups of cords about the standard 32.

A cover 78 extends over the upper ends of the groups ice 3 of cords 42 and has its inner perimeter resting upon a nut 49 of the nut and bolt assembly 48. A skirt 80 depends from the cover 78 and is octagon in shape, as shown most clearly in FIGURE 1.

In the assembly of the cover 78 on the standard 32 it must pass over the support 34 therefore the inner hole is larger than the standard 32 and is therefore covered or closed by plates 82 and 84, as shown in FIGURE 18, the plates 82 and 84 being secured together by a cap screw 86.

On two opposed sides of the standard 32 are benches 88 and 90 each similar in construction, the bench 90 being shown in cross section in FIGURE 2. A steel box structure 92 has transverse angle members 94 secured thereto to which is bolted an inner plank 96 having a top plank 98 secured thereto. Bolts 180 secure the plank 96 to the members 94. Side wood pieces 102 and a bottom wood piece 104 complete the bench 90 and conceal its inner structure from view, the bench 90 being covered with a suitable plastic covering, as at 106 in FIG- URE 2.

A leg 108 supports one end of the bench 90 and the other end of the bench 90 is pivotally connected to the upper end of post 110 which rises from the base 30. The other bench 88 is similarly supported upon another post 112 and a leg structure 114. One of the cables 60 has its free end extending to the leg 108 of the bench 90 and hooked to an exerciser component 116 which is pivotally mounted upon the end of the bench 90 remote from the standard 32. Component 116 is L-shaped and the crossbars thereof are engaged by the legs and feet of the user of component 116 to exercise the legs of the user. The double cable 60 extends to the leg structure 7 114 with one of the cables going out each side of the structure 114 and being connected to an exerciser component 118. As shown in FIGURE 14 and in FIGURE 15, the leg structure 114 includes a horizontally disposed box 120 having a pulley 122 rotatably mounted on each end thereof. Guards 124 on each side of the pulley 122 protect it from accidental damage.

In FIGURES 16 and 17, the exerciser component 118 is shown in detail. It consists in an inner tubular member 126 and an outer member 128 with a cap 130 covering the exposed end of the member 126 exteriorly of a snap fastener 132. The bar 118 is grasped with both hands by a user positioned on bench 88 and is used to exercise the arms, chest and upper back.

The snap fastener 132 is secured to the adjacent end of the cable 60.

Other pulleys 133 on the ends of brackets 134 project out from the lower end of the standard 32 and are secured to the base 30. The cables 60 and 60' travel over such pulleys 133.

In FIGURES 19 and 20 another of the exerciser com-- ponents is shown, the same being a head harness, designated as 136, it consisting in a rope or cable 138 and a strap assembly 140 secured to the ends of the cable 138. A spacer bar 142 keeps the sides of the strap assembly 140 apart. Harness 136 is mounted on the head of a user of the device, is suitably coupled with a group of resilient elements, and is used to exercise the neck of the user.

In FIGURE 21 a still further exerciser component is shown, the same being a shoulder harness, designated as 144, it consisting in a pair of strap members 146 and 148 separated by a rigid strip 150 and having their ends connected to other cables 152 and 154, respectively. Harness 144 is worn on the shoulders of a user of the device, is suitably coupled with a group of resilient elements and serves to exert a force on the body during the carrying out of certain exercises.

In FIGURES 22 and 23 the means for connecting the squat platform 156 to,the base 30 is shown. Such means consisting in an upright post 158, a hinge pin 160 and a trunnion member 162 connected to the platform 156.

The user of the device stands on squat platform 156 when performing certain exercises.

A piece of steel tubing 164 is, wedged into a hole provided in the post 158 for the passage therethrough of the cables 60'.

In FIGURE 25 there is shown another exerciser component in the form of a bar 166 suitably covered with a protective coating such as plastic or the like. Bar 166 is known as a lat bar, is maintained under tension as a result of being coupled with a group of resilient elements and is grasped by a user of the device in performing exercises such as chinning or rowing, depending upon the position of bar 166. A cap 168 covers the end of the bar 166. When it is desired to eliminate the resilient means attached to the cable 60 or 60', the pins 62, 62, may be inserted into the sleeves 170 which are welded on the sides of the standard 32, as shown most clearly in FIGURES 27 and 28. The locking spring pins 66 are employed to keep the pins 62, 62, in position in such sleeves 170.

On the upper face of the squat platform 156 are cleats 172 for positioning of the feet of a person using the platform 156.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the apparatus of the present invention provides a means by which several persons may exercise at one time, using any of the exerciser components on the ends of the cables 60 or 60'. Persons using the apparatus may use either the platform 156 or may use the benches 88 and in the manner prescribed by the exercises to be employed.

In FIGURE 6 the apparatus is shown in collapsed condition ready for, storage, the dotted lines at 172 representing a person moving the apparatus to a place of storage or place of use as desired.

While only a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described other embodiments are contemplated and numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. Exercise apparatus comprising a base; an upright standard carried by said base; several groups of resilient elements depending from said standard, each group of elements consisting of a plurality of sets of resilient elements; a separate plate suspended by each set of elements; at least one cable corresponding to each group of elements; and means for selectively coupling said cable to a selective number of plates and a desired number of sets of elements in its corresponding group, whereby to determine the resistance imparted to said cableby said resilient elements.

2. Exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said coupling means being in the form of a pin carried by one end of the cable, said pin being engageable with the plates of the desired number of sets of elements.

3. Exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 2, there being an exercise component coupled with the other end of each of said cables.

4. Exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said resilient elements being in substantially parallel relationship to said standard, said plates being in perpendicular relation ship to said elements and in a substantially horizontal position.

5. Exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 4, there being a perforated positioning plate disposed intermediate the ends of the resilient elements of each group, said elements passing through said plate whereby to maintain the elements in alignment.

6. Exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said positioning plate being in parallelrelationship to the plates suspended by the sets of resilient elements, said positioning plate being in closer proximity to said suspended plates than to the point of suspension of said resilient elements.

7. Exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 6, the suspended plates closest to said point of suspension being of a size smaller than that of the suspended plates at the outermost ends of said resilient elements.

8. Exercise apparatus comprising a base; an upright standard carried by said base; several groups of resilient elements depending from said standard, each group of elements consisting of a plurality of sets of resilient elements; a separate plate suspended by each set of elements, the plates in each group of elements being in parallel relationship to one another; a positioning plate intermediate the ends of the resilent elements making up each group, there being holes formed in said positioning plates, each of the elements in a group passing through a corresponding hole, whereby said elements are maintained in spaced apart alignment; at least one cable corresponding to each group of resilient elements; means for selectively coupling one end of each cable to a selective number of plates and a desired number of sets of elements in its corresponding group; and an exerciser component contiguous to the other end of each of said cables.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 652,617 6/00 Hotz.

726,095 4/03 Nightingale 27283 760,374 5/04 Belvoir 272-82 807,670 12/05 Grabner 27283 1,928,089 9/33 Blickman 27260 2,472,391 6/49 Albizu 272-81 2,797,921 7/57 Kinsey 27282 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

15 DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner. 

1. EXERCISE APPARATUS COMPRISING A BASE; AN UPRIGHT STANDARD CARRIED BY SAID BASE; SEVERAL GROUPS OF RESILIENT ELEMENTS DEPENDING FROM SAID STANDARD, EACH GROUP OF ELEMENTS CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF SETS OF RESILIENT ELEMENTS; A SEPARATE PLATE SUSPENDED BY EACH SET OF ELEMENTS; AT LEAST ONE CABLE CORRESPONDING TO EACH GROUP OF ELEMENTS; AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY COUPLING SAID CABLE TO A SELECTIVE NUMBER OF PLATES AND A DESIRED NUMBER OF SETS OF ELEMENTS IN ITS CORRESPONDING GROUP, WHEREBY TO DETERMINE THE RESISTANCE IMPARTED TO SAID CABLE BY SAID RESILIENT ELEMENTS. 